Kuala Lumpur: More than 10,000 Indian illegal immigrants have been granted amnesty by Malaysia and would be allowed to return home.

The Indians were the second biggest group among a total of 132,424 illegal immigrants who have not been charged by the authorities here. Indonesians headed the list with a figure of 82,253 followed by Indians 10,091.

Besides Indians and Indonesians, the bulk of illegal immigrants to Malaysia came from Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China.
In a statement, Home Ministry secretary-general Mahmood Adam said since October 20 last year, 70,259 illegals were screened nationwide in 3,331 operations, adding action was taken against 10,092 of them and 292 employers.

He said 154 illegals were found to be victims of human trafficking.
Malaysia is heavily dependent on foreign workers in sectors like plantations, construction and restaurants.